BY BROCK SHERIDAN

Colombina broke skillfully from the inside post, withstood pressure early in the turn then sprinted clear in the lane for an impressive debut victory on Saturday at Gulfstream Park. The 2-year-old daughter of Shady Oaks Farm’s Mr Louise won by four lengths against five other Florida-bred fillies going five furlongs in a $65,000 maiden special weight.

In addition to picking up the $39,000 first prize, Colombina earned a $25,000 Florida Sire Racing Incentive, split $20,000 to owner Cloud Nine Lumoni and $5,000 to breeder Louis Ortiz, paid directly by the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association. 

Capped at $1 million, the FSRI program pays $25,000 to each eligible Florida-sired 2-year-old winner of a maiden special weight, allowance, allowance optional claiming and stakes at Guflstream Park and Tampa Bay Downs in 2026.

Jockey Samy Camacho guided Colombina to a quick start and a clear lead in the short run to the turn before Liberty Path approached on her outside hip after a leisurely :23.23 first quarter split. Odds on favorite Whole Lotta Rosie and jockey Edwin Gonzalez made their move from between horses coming out of the bend but Colombina found another gear to win by four lengths in 1:00.46 on the fast track. Whole Lotta Rosie was second, three-and-a-half lengths in front of Jost a Chance Yadi in third. Liberty Path, Turkish Surprise and Chica Feliz finished in that order.

Colombina paid $11.40 to win.

 

Antonio Sano trains Colombina, a bay daughter of the Tapit mare Beautiful Miss. Sano as an agent purchased Beautiful Miss in foal to Uncaptured for $20,000 at the 2018 Ocala Breeders’ Sales Winter Mixed Sale. Beautiful Miss has produced eight foals with three winners from five starters.

Return to the June 20 issue of Wire to Wire